Tennessee Martin Skyhwaks
The Skyhawks are averaging 68.4 points per game, 43.5% shooting from the field, and 35.4% from beyond the arc. So far they have started off slow this season losing their first four games but this team is much better talent wise than their record indicates. They led the Ohio Valley Conference last year in three pointers and they have some threats at distance lead by Alex Anderson who is averaging just under 14 points per game. With some solid returners this year they are expected to be one of the best teams in the conference which includes Belmont and Murray State.

Defensively Tennessee Martin is allowing 78.2 points per game, 49.1% shooting from the field, and 40.2% from beyond the arc. Athletically they are bit over matched tonight against the Bulldogs but they have been decent at controlling tempo allowing opponents only 54.6 shot attempts per game. They have also been decent in keeping teams from second chance shots allowing just 32.4 opponent total rebounds per game. They should be plenty motivated to play a team from the SEC in Mississippi State.

Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are averaging 82.6 points per game, 50% shooting from the field, and 33% from beyond the arc. This is very different so far than people probably expected from Howland who is more known for tough defense and grind it out basketball. This might be the year the Bulldogs start to turn things around a bit but they still have at least another year to go before we can really see how this program is going to develop. Senior Gavin Ware has been a beast in the middle and will be a very tough matchup for Tennessee Martin. Overall the Bulldogs have been very tough in the interior as they are averaging 59.9% from their two point shots which ranks ninth in the country.

Defensively the Bulldogs are allowing 82.6 points per game, 48.2% shooting from the field, and 34.1% from beyond the arc. Although they have not shot the three particularly well they are defending decently at distance. They got blown out by a real good and underrated Miami team allowing 105 points but after that they have not faced much with their best win being their first game of the year against Eastern Washington. Defensively they have lacked for lack of a better word, pun intended, and I think today they won't stop Tennessee Martin enough to cover the number.

It makes sense for Mississippi State to be favored at home in this spot, but for one of your NCAA basketball picks today I recommend grabbing the points with the Skyhawks. They have enough returners and three point shooting to keep this game close until the end.